Need some advice asap..having a rough go of it!

Oh Lou, that sounds so uncomfortable and you have to take care of yourself. I know I always worked up until my due dates but I had a sit down office job when I was pregnant for my children. You do NOT have a sit down job! I agree that you should talk to your clients today and start making arrangements so you can take care of yourself. If you run into problems you will never forgive yourself and labour is not a joke. You can't be exhausted when it hits, it's too much work to bring a baby into the world. Take care of YOU! This time it's going to be ok to be a little bit selfish!

Listen to your body. If its telling you to slow down or stop do so.
When I was pregnant with my first I had planned to work up to 39 weeks. I was working retail at the time. At 35 weeks my body said enough. I finished the week then at 36 weeks was on mat-leave. It was a good thing I listened, 3 days into week 37, my water broke. So listen. you and the baby are number 1, your clients are not. They will understand ad if they don't not your problem.

Thanks ladies, a LOT. So I emailed them during nap time yesterday, in such a way as it was a strong suggestion...I was sympathetic to the fact that I was giving them little notice, etc etc. It was a good email! lol Anyways, almost all of the parents were extrememly receptive and understanding and all but one are finishing up on Friday of next week. Only one set of parents said they had to be honest and that it was going to be extremely difficult for them to find back up care a week earlier than expected as they hadn't even arranged it for the week after that either?!?! She too, is pregnant and is going on mat leave starting Feb 1, but has waited until the last moment to find back up childcare for her little guy in my care. I mean going from 4 to 1(plus my son) will make my days a ton easier, but the annoyed side of me is slightly ruffled since he is my most difficult to care for (poops like 6 times a day, no exaggeration, needs extra help with everything as he's behind developmentally), but I'll take it!! And just hope that they find someone for him anyways. But I'm beyond thrilled with the understanding and quick responses from the other parents, it will be wonderful to relax some! The days are getting LONG.
Thanks again for your advice!!!

Oh good lord there is always that 'one' client :ohmy:

I would find it hard to have any empathy for their lack of planning and be tempted to just dig my heals in with the decision to be done on Friday for ALL ... seriously how can they not have a BACK UP PLAN in place let alone have even found alternative care until her own mat leave starts cause it is not going to be EASY to find someone who is willing to take a kid for just a couple weeks ... plus what if you actually go into labor early do they expect you to keep working cause you said January 25 as your tentative last day ... some people just make me :rolleyes:

I think the real kicker was her attempt to be sympathetic by saying "I truly know how you are feeling", because she's pregnant too....ummmmmm....a cushy office job is slightly SLIGHTLY different from a home daycare business. Sitting in front of a computer all day sounds like a vacation to me these days! lol! Whatever.

Sounds like her plan is to just work as long as you can and then when you go on mat leave she will start too and is not wanting to start any earlier than necessary.

Good that you have been able to reduce your workload.

I agree that the lighter load will be a big difference - forget the program now! focus on you and the kids honestly don't care! They're happy to be fed, drinks, toys etc.

I'm kinda getting worried now as I planned on going to the end as well....uh oh :unsure:

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Originally Posted by playfelt

Sounds like her plan is to just work as long as you can and then when you go on mat leave she will start too and is not wanting to start any earlier than necessary...

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This was my thought too ~ cause seriously how can you know your provider is going on Mat leave on X date and not have a plan in place for it ~ my guess is that she might be planning on going on leave early however perhaps using 'paid sick or emergency leave' days by claiming her provider bailed on her and she has no back up verses starting her actual mat leave benefits.

I'm so happy for you Lou, that most of your clients were understanding. As far as the dcMom who gave you a hard time, her lack of planning is NOT your problem. That's an old saying and so very true!